2 year-old kid at disney

[Steph08]

To anyone who have been in Disney with a two-year old kid, I need some recommendation if we'll bring our baby to Disney this holiday season. What are your experiences bringing a two-year-old baby?

I know it is a bit far but we're starting saving some money to enjoy to the fullest.

thanks


Steph

 

[Halbleib1]

To anyone who have been in Disney with a two-year old kid, I need some recommendation if we'll bring our baby to Disney this holiday season. What are your experiences bringing a two-year-old baby?

I know it is a bit far but we're starting saving some money to enjoy to the fullest.

thanks


Steph

We took our son on his first trip when he was 2 years old and he loved it. He remembered a good bit of that trip as well. Even though he was only 2.

He was also able to do a good bit as well. And the best part is that he was free. That trip we stuck to things that he could do with us though as it was

family time. Because he loved the big mickey phone statue at Pop Century he thinks we have to stay their all the time now. He is 4 now. He even cried on

our trips last year to go back to that room. LOL He thought we should be staying in the very same room. He did not understand why we could not. We

ended up being in the 80s section on our trips last year which he also ended up loving because of the pacman icons. But he still asked to walk by the

mickey room. lol He plays pacman on our xbox here at home. We took a break in the afternoon back at the resort to rest some before dinner and

than headed back to a park after dinner. We do that on all of our trips to Disney World as we all need a break by that time. We did mostly buffets and

family style meals with a few reg. table service meals thrown in. We did the dining plan and shared with him as he was not a big eater and even now is

not always. I recommend taking your own stroller as it is more comfortable as well as cheaper. Also this way you will have a stroller for the resorts as well

which is nice after a long day at the parks not to have to carry a child around. We took one that folded small so that it did not get in the way on

the buses. We were even able to fold it up and take it on the train in the Magic Kingdom. If you do go at Christmas be sure to bring a jacket and pants as well

as a blanket into the park as it gets chilly at night even if it is warm during the day. Esp. by the water. If you have any questions feel free to ask. We loved

Christmas last year and now that is the only time of the year we will go. It is so beautiful with the parks all decorated as well as great weather most of the

time. I would not have a problem taking a 2 year old to Disney World. That trip was probably the easiest out of our three trips so far. He was not as

independent than.

 

[wtrmlnlabs]

I have a very difficult 2 year old and dreaded taking him to Disney. The whole time planning I kept telling DH, be prepared to have to take him. We were splitting up with friends, he had DS 5 I had DS2. It was THE greatest time I've ever spent with DS2!!! I all but cried the whole 18 hour drive home I didn't want to leave! Which is what has prompted this years trip, I want my sweet DS back! :>
But really, we did have a great time, he enjoyed all the sights, oohed over the characters and it was so relaxing. I went at his pace, if he wanted to ride Buzz Lightyear 50 times in a row, we did -- it was a nice slow time of the year. He napped in the stroller, stayed up late at the parks, just had a wonderful time. I wouldn't think twice about taking a 2yo if I were you, they'll truly enjoy all the magic!

 

[Wendybird55]

We took our son last year when he was almost 2 and he had a great time.

I was to WDW many times before, and I founf the first time going with my son I did more planning to make sure it would be a fun trip for him.

I planned meal ADRS around his usual eating times to try and keep him to his regualr schedule. I brought food with us (ordered some from gardengrocer). Things like some of his favorte snacks, somne of his gerber toddler meals, individual applesauce. This helped alot as some times he didn't want to eat the restaurant food.

We ate at alot of character, family-style meals and he enjoyed those. The 2 times he was fussy at restraurants was when we went to more "adult places" (Le Cellier and Coral Reef). This year I made al family style, character ADRS. He loved Whisper Canyon in WL - he mostly liked when everyone yelled for the ketchup - he yelled with them. And wehn the server brought our drinks he thre a bunch of straw s on the table and DS had a great time opening them all up.

Some days we took afternoon naps - thers we didn't. DS is not much of a napper. We did end our days earliery though - the only nighttime fireworks we say was Illuminations and DS took a nap that afternoon.

He was good on the rides..enjoyed all that he went on. I found that EMH at MK was great in that we got to do alot of the popular Fantasyland rides easily without any waits that morning. I recommend it. He didn't have much paitience sitting thru shows or waiting for them to start - so we didn't do things like Lion King show or Beatury and the Beast. He really liked the PLayhouse Disney show at DHS.

His most favorite part of the trip were the toddler parks they have in the parks (Poohs Corner and Donalds Boat & Mickey's Playard in MK, Dinoland Park in AK, Honey I Shrunk Kids park in DHS). He LOVED them. It was a chance for him to run around - play with some other kids his age - we couldn't get him out of them.

I thought it would be tough to keep him in his stroller as he is very active, but there was so much to look at while walking thru the parks he was fine.

We're going agian this year in a couple of weeks and I can hardly wait.

The key I think to a fun trip with a toddler is know your child and plan the trip around them. Keep to a schedule they are used to - if they usually nap every day - let them nap around the same time. Some kids can and will sleep in a stroller - others won't. Make sure they have the foods they like and research the rides to know which you think they may not like or will get scared from. Keep them cool in the heat with plenty of liquids and such.

Disney is a great place with toddlers - you just have to realize you may not be able to see and do everything you would want to as an adult, but don't worry - the enjoyment from watching your child react to all the magic is amazing.

Have a great trip...

 

[gib4]

We, too, took our 2 yo in 2008. Originally we planned on leaving her with the grandparents but things took a turn so we decided to bring her last minute. In all honesty, I think she has the best time of our three kids! She believed in all the magic and waited very patiently to see the characters. We took our own stroller and made sure she napped everyday (usually in the stroller, but it worked) and our older kids understood the importance of that time! We'd use that time to do some of the things they would get more enjoyment out of or to just sit and watch a parade, eat a snack, etc. We didn't leave the parks but did slow down each afternoon for nap time. Now, mine was not a difficult 2 yo. If yours isn't either, bring it on! If yours is maybe you want to go without for a little sanity break! Those of us that have gone through a 2 yo wouldn't blame you one bit!

 

[jacksmomma]

Our son was 18 months during our first Disney trip but it was great! He loved everything about it. The only time he got fussy was when he was sleepy. He rode anything that he was tall enough for and had a blast. We took an umbrella stroller that reclined and that really helped with naps. We had grandparents with us, but honestly we used them very little. DS's favorite thing was the characters. He was not fearful in the least and would run to them when they got in eye sight. I am so glad we took him at that age because he was free and we got to see the magic from a different perspective.

The one thing that I would change is not taking my mei tai carrier. My arms ached after the first day from carrying DS. He is a Momma's boy and anytime he was unsure of something he wanted me. The mei tai would have allowed us to feel close while saving my arms.

So I would get a carrier of some sort and have a great time!

 

[nmmom95]

My younger son was 21 months the first time he went to WDW. He had a blast! We did, as a PP said, try to keep to his schedule as much as possible for meals and we went back to the resort to rest in the afternoons. We had an awesome time! He was just amazed by everything. I think we rode Buzz 20 times. He called it "Shoot the Batterbies." I wouldn't hesitate to bring a 2 year old! Happy planning!